Straw dispenser



R. B. GILCHRST Feb. 16 1926.

sTRAw .DISPENSER Filed Feb.' 2, 1920 l ed glass.

Patented Feb. 16, 1926.

UNITED STATES RAYMOND B. GLCHRIST, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIG-NOR TO THE GrLCHRIST COMPANY, OF NEWARK, NEXV JERSEY, A CORPORATION 0F NEW JERSEY.

srnnw DISPENSER.

Application filed Februaryy 2, 1920. Serial No. 355,844.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, RAYMOND B. GIL- Girnrs'r, a` citizen of the United States, and a resident of Newark, in the county of Essex and Stat-e of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Straw Dispensers, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The invention relates to straw dispensers of the type `in which the straws are autos mafically spread when the cover is raised.

In devices of this class, it isydesirable that the container should be transparent toA e1;- hibit the. contents so that patrons can readily see its contents. I-leretofore, it has been customary to make the containers of mould- The irregularity in the internal diameter and periphery of these containers is so great when so made that considerable play or clearance must be left between the carriage andthe glass. This results in den ficient operation and in liklihood of the straws being caught between the carrier and the container. A further object of the invention is to provide an improved dispenser which, in its normal operation, is adapted to remain on a table or counter, but which, when desired, can be lifted to the patron, the body of the container remaining on the table.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved dispenser for the straws and the like.

The invention consists in the several novel features hereinafter set forth and more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

ln the drawings: Fig. l is a side elevation of a straw dispenser embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section, the straws being shown partially lifted to assume a spread position. Fig. 3 is a section showing the carrier and transparent portion of the container lifted away from the body.

The improved dispenser comprises a cylindrical body t expanded at its lower end, as at 5, to form a base for the container. This body and base are formed of metal which can be spun with accuracy or to true cylindrical form, so that a carrier 6 will fit therein without excessive play or clearance. An upper annular or cylindrical section 7 formed of glass is shouldered at its lower end to seat upon the upper edge of the body i and an inwardly and downwardly inclinedy flange 8 adapted to guide the section into and to hold said section against lateral movement relatively to the body. A cover 9 is adapted to close the upper end of the section. 7 and is provided with a handle l0 whereby it may be raised and lowered. A rod ll connects the cover and the carrier G so that when lthe cover is raised, the carrier will be lifted `to automatically lift the straws l2'.V The carrier 6 is provided with a flange y 13 to retain the' straws thereon.

ln operation, the handle l0 usually given a sharp jerk lor twist to cause the straws to assume a spiral position in the container. Normally, when the cover 9 is down, the container will be closed to protect the straws and keep themv in a sanitary condition. lVhen the cover 9 is raised, the carrier 6 will be lifted with it through the rod l1 and the straws l2 will be lifted out of the container and will automatically spread, as shown inFig. 2. F or the sake of clearness, only two straws are shown, but it will 'be understood that these devices are usually operated with a considerable number of straws. The carrier 13 is flared upwardly so that it will pass under and around the flange S of the transparent section 7, so that when the carrier reaches said section, the latter will otter some resistance to the further movement' of the carrier. When the device is operated by a patron serving himself, it will be operated in this manner. lVhen the handle is released, the cover will drop and immediately close the container. If, however, it should be desired to pass the straws around to a number of patrons, the dispenser vcan further lift the handle l0 so that the carrier G will lift the transparent section 7 out of and away from the container, las shown .in Fig. 3. After use, the carrier is placed in the upper end of the body i and when the carrier is lowered, the transparent section 7 will be automatically arrested by the upper end of the body t while the cover is being lowered t0 close the container.

The invention exemplifies an improved straw dispenser in which the carrier operates in a straw container or receptacle having a section formed of metal and a transparent section through which the straws will be visible. Also one in which an upper Section is removable from the body and is adapted to cooperate with the carrier in holding the straws.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth, since these may be modilied Within the scope oi' the appended claims, Without departing` from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I-IavingiV thus described the invention, What I claim as new anddcsireto secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. In a dispenser, the combination of a container comprising a lovver metallic section and an upper transparent section, a cover, a handle, andmeans operable by the handle for lifting the upper section.

2. In a dispenser, the'combination of a container comprising a metallic lower sec-k tion and an upper transparent section, a`

cover, a handle connected to the cover, and means operable by the handle for oonjointly lifting` said section and tlrecover. Y

3. In a dispenser, the combinationr of a container comprising a plurality of superimposed sections, a cover,` and means for conjointly litting articles in the container and one or the sections. n

4. In a dispenser, the combination of a container comprisingv a plurality of superimposed sections, a cover, a carrier itor the articles liitable With the cover andprovided with means for engaging one section and lifting it with the articles.`

5. In a dispenscr,.tlre combination of ay container comprising a. plurality of superimposed sections, a cover, a handle on the cover, a carrier for the articles operatively connected to the handle and provided With means for engaging and for lifting one section with the articles.

6.* In a dispenser, the combination of a container comprising a plurality of superimposed sections, one of which is provided ivith a flange for :holding it on the other, a cover adapted to close the upper section, acarrier movable with the cover and provided With means to engage and lift the flanged section. I

'7. In a. dispenser, the combination oi'f a container comprising` ay lower metallic section andan upper transparent section seated ,on the lower section and provided With an internal flange, a cover adapted to close the upper section, a carrier provided with means to engage the flange and lift the transparent section. i

8. Ina dispenser, the combination of a Container comprising a metallic loiver section and an upper transparent section removably seated on the lower section and provided with a flange tor holding it on the body, a cover adapted to close the upper section, a handle, a carrier operatively connected to the handle and provided With means to engage the flange and lift the transparent section. i

RAYMOND B. GILCHRIST. 

